Tag Archives: yarn

Obviously something crafty needed to make the list! I was going to originally make this “Learn a new craft” but after a not so successful foray into embroidery, I thought that maybe taking my knitting a step further would be a good idea. I have a tendency to only learn the bare minimum to get by in an activity. Even though I’ve been knitting for almost seven years, I have yet to knit with two strands of yarn, finish making socks or a sweater, and design a pattern. I only learned cables about a year ago. It’s time I turned this knitting thing up to 11.

Once I discovered houndstooth, I went a little crazy with love for the pattern, but my lack of ability to knit with more than one type of yarn and complete complicated patterns made this process a little difficult. So, I chose to design a cowl that would reveal a houndstooth pattern through alternating knitting and purl stitches.

Honestly, I have yet to even knit my own pattern yet, but I’m pretty sure this is going to work!

Houndstooth Cowl

Yarn: 1 skein Malabrigo Worsted 3.5 oz, 216 yards

Needle: 16” circular – size 9US (5.5mm)

Notions: 1 stitch marker; blunt darning needle

Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows = 4” (10cm) in pattern stitch

Size: One size = 22” around x 10” high

Instructions:

CO 100 stitches, Join in the round.

Row 1-4: Knit

BEGIN HOUNDSTOOTH PATTERN

Row 5: [K3, P1] to end

Row 6: [K1, P3] to end

Row 7: P1 [K1, P3] x24, P1, K2

Row 8: P2, [P1, K3]x24, K1, P1

REPEAT UNTIL COWL REACHES DESIRED LENGTH

Row 1-4: Knit

BO

//

If you end up knitting this, let me know how it comes out! I have quite a few projects ahead of this one – even if it is my yarn baby.

There is nothing better than getting a good piece of mail. When I was little I used to write to all the famous people listed in the back of Bop Magazine. As an adult and aspiring super crafter, I sometimes participate in themed craft swaps through Craftster (a fantastic resource for crafty ladies and gentlemen). A friend of mine recently turned me on to reddit (a fantastic resource for Internet trolling ladies and gentlemen) and after browsing their wrestling material (minimal), I stumbled across the Reddit Gifts portion and signed up to participate in their Secret Santa. I was given a dude who was in to Star Wars and Back to the Future. Internet stalking yielded no results so I settled on a portrait of the delorian fromStay Gold Media’s Etsy Shop . I wanted something a little different and other than knowing what he was in to, I did not know what he had.

Friday of this past week I was having a bit of a bummer day and was elated to have received my SS package. The amount of care and research that my Secret Santa put in was unbelievable. The card I received explained it all and I got a little teary eyed reading her kind words. Also, the fact that someone who had never even met put that much effort in to sending me a completely custom kick ass package made receiving this gift extra special.

Here is what she sent (along with my sleepy, goofy self at 1am):

1. Yarn! Yay! Awesome acrylic grey striped yarn. Perfect for a scarf for my dad. And yes, Secret Santa, you bought the right type of yarn for knitting – all yarn is good!

2. A book all about Alabama – my SS’s home state. I’ve sadly only had the chance to thumb through it, but she wrote on every single page facts about Alabama and whether or not things are true. Don’t worry, I will share this knowledge with you all after I get some time with it. I don’t know much about Alabama, but I’m psyched to learn.

3. A tote bag of The Great Gatsby which is on my 30×30 to re-read since I didn’t pay attention to it in school. The organization that she bought it from donates a book to African children with each bag purchased. Awesome cause. Fantastic gift. It even has an interior pocket!